World briefs 7/20/05

Typhoon Haitang slams into mainland China

SHANGHAI, China -- Typhoon Haitang churned into southeastern China Tuesday, bringing torrential rain and high winds to coastal areas. Haitang weakened after moving inland. There were no immediate reports of casualties on China's mainland.

Subheadfghan warlord gets 20 years in British prison

LONDON -- A former Afghan warlord convicted of torture and hostage-taking in his country was sentenced Tuesday to 20 years in a British prison. It was the first time anyone had been tried in Britain for torture in another country. Faryadi Sarwar Zardad was convicted Monday for torture and hostage taking in an area outside Kabul between Dec. 31, 1991, and Sept. 30, 1996.

Subheadussian lawmaker calls for adoption moratorium

MOSCOW -- A senior lawmaker called Tuesday for a moratorium on U.S. citizens adopting children from Russia -- a sharp escalation in a campaign against foreign adoptions triggered by a series of deaths of Russian children in the United States.

Subheadorth Korea nuclear talks to resume on Tuesday

SEOUL, South Korea -- South Korea said that North Korea will resume nuclear disarmament talks on Tuesday. North Korea agreed earlier this month to return to the talks after being assured by the top U.S. nuclear envoy that Washington recognized its sovereignty. No closing date was given.

-- From wire reports

South Korea's Foreign Ministry said the talks would convene July 26. No closing date was given.

Archaeologists unveil treasure from ancient Pompeii

ROME -- Monday archaeologists unveiled an ancient Roman dining set that lay hidden for two millennia in the volcanic ash of Pompeii.

In 2000, archaeologists found a basket containing the silverware. The basket was filled with the volcanic ash that buried the city when Mount Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79. When experts X-rayed it, they saw the objects preserved in the ash. Experts have spent the last five years extracting and restoring the 20 pieces of silver that were left behind by their owners as they fled the eruption, Guzzo said as he presented the treasure to authorities and the media in Rome. The pieces will then go on display in 2006 at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, 18 miles north of Pompeii, he said.